As a responsible, law abiding cyclist who has been pedaling away for 4 years in Chennai, through thick and thin, at varying times of the day and traffic situations, the question on my mind is:
Do cyclists in our country REALLY have the same rights as other motorists do?
The answer is a resounding NO.
While the Dept. of Transport (New Delhi, India) states:
CYCLISTS have the same rights and responsibilities as drivers of larger vehicles. When overtaking cyclists, leave at least one metre clearance. Don't try to share the lane with them. Cycle riders are entitled to ride two abreast.
Bicycles can travel surprisingly fast. 30 km/h is not unusual. Drivers can easily underestimate their speed. Be careful not to cut them off when turning in front of them.
Most motorists in India are simply unaware of this fact. Cyclists have always been looked down upon and treated as an unnecessary nuisance on our city roads. Honked at all the time, shouted at the best of times and of course assaulted or hit by a motorist on occasion.
The Unfounded Provokation
Date and Time: 05/10/2013 at approx 6:45 AM
Place: Near the Nungambakkam-Kodabakkam Signal (after The Park)
Just as the signal turned green and I started pedaling away on my bike, carefully moving through the vehicles, a motorcyclist came up right beside me and started shouting out that I was always supposed to the stick to the the third lane (left-most lane) and that he had almost hit my bike before the signal crossing.Just Plain Ignorant
Here's why his claim was both unfounded and ignorant
1. The lane system is non-existent on this road, like with most other roads in our city/country. So talking about lanes here is absurd. People go all over the place.
2. As explained above, cyclists have rights similar to other motorists. So we aren't mandated to ride on the left. It's just safe practice for us.
3. So why wasn't I riding on the left?
Folks plying on this road, know all too well to keep to their left (red arrow), only if they are turning into Kodambakkam High Road. The rest just head straight (green arrow) after the signal, which was exactly my intention. It's common sense really.
4. He mentioned he almost hit my bike. What went wrong?
Let's have a second look at the quote posted above.
When overtaking cyclists, leave at least one metre clearance. Don't try to share the lane with them. Cycle riders are entitled to ride two abreast. Bicycles can travel surprisingly fast. 30 km/h is not unusual.- Why was the 150cc motorcycle tailing a motorcycle?
- Why did he not leave enough space between both vehicles?
- Why didn't the motorist realize that cyclists don't have rear-view mirrors or brake lights?
To prove that he was more than an ignorant rider, I was wearing a bicycle helmet with a reflective sticker, had a bright-orange, high-visibility reflective vest on and had reflective elements at multiple places on the rear end of my bike. Experienced cyclists will tell you that is more than sufficient to make yourself visible and noticeable to other motorists.
The Unexpected Road Rage
The arguments soon turned into verbal abuses that provoked me to return the favor. What was more shocking was the pillion rider (a young lady) cussing like a dirty old sailor. Together, they were like a symphony of foul expletives.
In hindsight, I should have taken all the shouting and abuse and continued on. But 8/10 times folks do react, unwary of the consequences.
Split seconds later, he tried cornering me close to the pavement and kicked my bike while I was riding. After I wobbled to a stop, he decided to let his anger out and start pushing me around and trying to start a fight.
Folks, if you are not comfortable with confrontation, PLEASE just put on your coward face, say sorry and leave. Nothing more.
However, I wasn't and something inside me drove my body to defend the assaults to the best of my ability. The efforts went in vain because there is no stopping a raging bull (person). He was a pretty hefty guy (me being the opposite) too. It only aggravated the situation, with this guy grabbing hold of my vest and giving me a few blows to my head. Luckily my bicycle helmet took the brunt of it, with only one straying away and landing on the side of my head. My left ear was sore for a while.
It was a combination of my trusty bike helmet, quick action and presence of mind that helped me walk out of this unscathed. I could have done better though.
It was 6:50AM and people were scarce on the road. It was only due to the swift intervention of one or two people walking on the road that the fight ended. There were still arguments going on and that lady wasn't getting tired of cussing. When I went to pick up my bicycle lying on the ground and inspect it, the assailant darted off on his motorcycle with his foul mouthed lady friend. I cursed back in vain. Having picked up my bicycle, I was relived to see that it suffered only a few minor scratches. Little do people know that the serious road bicycles can cost just as much as 150cc motorcycles in the country.
My watch was showing 6:55AM and I was all by myself again. It was like nothing ever happened. I did have a hazy memory of the motorcycle's registration no and figured I would use it to file a complaint. So I threw away my reflective vest (was ripped apart), hopped onto by bike and started riding back home.
Looking back
My mind was juxtaposed with strong feelings and urges while heading home. I still can't believe a person can be this violent and inconsiderate to a complete stranger under such circumstances, let alone being massively ignorant. On the other hand, I was able to take little consolation from the fact that I faced the ordeal head on, only in an honest attempt to prove I was right and fight back for the right of cyclists. Guess it wasn't by day or time.
Yes, I could have done this or tried that to control or avoid the situation, but things happens and your mindset is in a completely different place when you're the victim and in the heat of the tussle.
I sincerely hope Karma plays its role in giving this foul-mouthed, ignorant duo what they deserve.
Both the rider and pillion rider were in their late 20s ; possibly a couple ; they were on an old Black Bajaj Pulsar 150 DTSI with a Meenambakkam registration. TN ** 22 *4343.Another realization was that filing a police complaint is pointless really. One would have to frequent the police station of the corresponding jurisdiction, go through the "process", only to have the assailant say he is sorry. Nothing will change.
My Advice to Cyclists Everywhere
" When you're in the right, you can afford to keep your temper. When in the wrong, you can't afford to lose it. "1. Never argue with Idiots. They are everywhere and come in all shapes, sizes and colours. Ignore their comments or say you're sorry and leave.
2. Do your absolute best to ride carefully, follow the traffic rules and stop at signals.
3. Be fully aware that you are on a bicycle and that you are the most vulnerable to ignorant or angry motorists on the road.
4. Never put yourself in a situation that you can't get out of easily.
5. Carry a mobile phone in your shorts or jersey pocket
Stay Safe, Ride Safe!
~N
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